Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107653

Ethel Kessler, BA, Kessler Design Group, 6932 Arlington Road #301, Bethesda, MD 20814, 202-442-8891, ek@kesslerdesigngroup.com

Effective graphic design to support public health messages and programs relies on an application of social marketing concepts, behavior change theories, and working closely with writers and editors. The art direction of products, in particular, requires a review of findings from literature reviews, formative research, such as focus groups, and other types of consumer data, in order to meet campaign or program goals. This session focuses on describe three public health campaigns, along with the process that led to the final design of products. Print materials supporting three health campaigns will be discussed—a national federal campaign on obesity prevention for adolescent girls targeting parents; a community campaign on breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer for underserved women of Washington, DC, and a third campaign designed for DC clinics on diabetes prevention and treatment for African-American adults. The speaker, the art director for the breast cancer semi-postal for the U.S. Postal Service, will also comment on the process of choosing an image and tone for the stamp. Topics to be addressed include product size and packaging, photography, illustrations, and layout design to achieve program objectives in terms of the targeted consumer audience.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to

• Explain how consumer-based research influences the design of health education materials. 2. Understand the role of the graphic designer in developing effective and attractive health education materials for diverse audiences.
• Become aware of the role of the designer in interpreting a health messages through images and other design elements. 4. Understand the relationship between researchers, writers, and designers in developing a product to support positive health behavior change. 5. Identify how the cultural and/or ethnic background of the target audience shapes the final design to be appropriate and sensitive.
• Learn ways to achieve effective design on a modest budget.

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Communications

Related Web page: www.kesslerdesigngroup.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.